AR SB359

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the Development and Enhancement Fund to the Arkansas Public Defender Commission for expenses related to resentencing of juveniles sentenced to mandatory life without parole.

Restricts contract awards and obligations to State Treasury funds actually available, but allows the commission to accept and use grants, donations, Federal funds, and unobligated cash income to supplement state funds.

Requires strict compliance with State Purchasing Law, General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, Revenue Stabilization Law, and Department of Finance and Administration regulations in disbursement of funds.

Establishes that funds must be disbursed in compliance with stated reasons for the act as documented in budget manuals, agency requests, executive recommendations, legislative recommendations, and official legislative minutes.

Declares an emergency effective July 1, 2021, based on constitutional restrictions limiting appropriations to one-year periods and the essential nature of the funding for agency operations.